Iran is an Islamic nation in southwestern
Asia whose government does not tolerate diversion from
Islam. The Koran, the Islamic holy book, teaches that Islam
should be spread by force, and that Allah (their god) will
reward them for killing non-Muslims. “Muhammad said, ‘Whoever
changes his religion, kill him.’ – Al Bukhari, Vol.9:57.”(1)
Despite that, God is still bringing Muslims in Islamic
nations to Himself, and a growing number are answering
the high calling of martyrdom for Jesus’ sake.
Five Thousand Year History
Around 3000 B.C. the area we know to be Iran, was settled
by Elamites. Later the Medes and Persians lived and ruled
there. This is the area known as Persia in Old Testament
times. Both the Medes and Persians were Aryans migrating
into this new homeland from central Asia. They called this
homeland Iran meaning “home of the Aryans.” It was likely
here that Daniel was thrown into the den of lions and miraculously
delivered by the angel of the Lord.
During the 600s Arabs began
converting Iranians to Islam. Dynasties rose and fell,
and the nation prospered many times and in numerous ways.
Some of their
leaders promoted architecture and arts, land reforms, education, new industrial
projects, etc. British and Russian influence brought Western prosperity and
ideas of political reform. The people were Muslim, but the government was
not.
The Loss of Blessing
Revolutionaries took control
of the government in 1979 and declared it to be an Islamic
republic, strictly controlling
all areas of people’s lives. Not only did this cause severe
economic problems, but it also brought strained relationships
with Western countries. According to World Book Encyclopedia,
this new government closed down newspaper and magazine
publications, shut universities, placed restrictions over
people’s personal freedoms, and banned political parties.
(2)
Speaking of the results of
those things, a converted Muslim from Iran says: “Whenever
Islam is the primary focus of a government, the majority
of its citizens
languish in an abased existence. If those same people immigrate to a democratic
society, where the pursuit of happiness is primary and their degree of religious
expression is optional, they are apt to flourish.(3)
The Church Under Pressure
The people of Iran are suffering under theocratic tyranny,
bigotry, hatred, and cruelty. This, in conjunction with
the anti-Western and anti-Christian propaganda, is causing
many Muslims to seek answers in Christianity. Operation
World (4) reports that in 1979 there may have been only
500 Muslim-background believers. Despite severe persecution,
that number has multiplied to the undetermined thousands
since then. Pressure of Islam against Christians has been
increasing since 1988. Church buildings have been closed,
spies are sent into Christian groups, conferences are illegal,
and witnessing is not allowed.
Generally speaking, the Protestant
churches were small, introspective and struggling before
the revolution. The traumatic changes have brought about
increased church
attendance and commitment, along with fervent witnessing and literature distribution.
Within the first twenty years of Islamic rule, ten of the twelve Pentecostal
pastors had been imprisoned and one martyred.
Freedom in Christ
The Islamic law requires praying Arabic-form prayers
five times a day while kneeling on prayer mats. Many Iranians
do not understand Arabic, and therefore are only repeating
dead sounds. According to Mina Nevissa, (5) many Muslims
experience a hunger of heart to be able to pray in the
common Farsi language freely, anytime, anywhere. God uses
such hunger in the heart to draw Muslims to Himself. He
often reveals Himself through miracles to Muslim people
that they might believe on Him. When they experience the
blessed redemption of Christ they not only are free from
sin, but also enjoy a great liberty from Islamic law.
Becoming a Christian makes
them instantly a hated infidel in the minds of Muslims.
The death sentence is given to Muslims being caught in possession of Christian
materials in Iran. Often brutal torture precedes execution. Many Christians
hire others to smuggle them out of the country to find asylum in other nations.
Even though we live in an age of easy air travel, these Christians’ way of
escape is often still a rugged and hard land trip across desert and mountains
by foot, donkey, cart, and auto.
It is not the will of God
that any should perish. (6) He is extending His merciful
hand into Iran and working miracles. His Spirit is wooing
souls
to Christ.
Jesus the Saviour is redeeming lives unto Himself. Let us remember these
persecuted, rejected, disowned, and suffering but triumphant Christians
in our prayers.
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